A financial secretary for a local steelworkers union has been charged in federal court with making false entries in a financial ledger as part of the alleged embezzlement of $14,569 in union funds.

William Mochrie, 52, of Albany, was charged with one count of making false entries in labor union records. The charges were filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Albany. He is expected to plead guilty next week under a plea agreement with the Justice Department, offiicials said.

Federal authorities said Mochrie's fellow union members were supportive of him despite the embezzlement charge. Under a plea agreement Mochrie is not expected to be charged with the more serious felony count of larceny.

Mochrie is accused of making the false entries in the general ledger and annual financial reports for Local 28 of the United Steelworkers of America. He could not be reached for comment.